SALES ARCHIVE

A MAGNIFICENT AND OUTSTANDING 15TH CENTURY CARVED OAK "GREAT CHEST" OF ROYAL PROVENANCE. CIRCA 1480.

THIS MONUMENTAL AND ESQUISTELY CARVED OAK CHEST IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. MADE IN NORTHERN FRANCE, CIRCA 1480. THE FRONT OF THIS "GREAT CHEST" HAS BEEN EXECUTED WITH THE FINEST CARVED AND PIERCED GOTHIC TRACERY, QUATREFOILS AND FRUITING FOILAGE DECORATION. THE REASON THIS MAGNIFICENT CHEST IS IN SUCH FINE ORIGINAL CONDITION IS PROBABLY DUE TO ITS ROYAL OWNERSHIP. IT HAS PROBABLY STOOD UNDISTURBED FOR CENTURIES IN A ROYAL HOUSEHOLD. IT HAS ITS ORIGINAL CARRYING HANDLES TO EACH END, LOCKPLATE AND HINGES . ALTHOUGH THE HINGES HAVE BEEN MOVED AT SOME POINT . PROVENANCE: This chest was a personal gift from Queen Juliana of the Netherlands to Maria Antonia baroness van Heeckeren van Molecaten. Juliana, was queen of the Netherlands from 1948 to 1980. In 1946, her mother, Queen Wilhelmina, appointed Maria Antonia governess of then princess Juliana. Soon after, with the queen and princesses in attendance, Maria married Walraven Jacob baron van Heeckeren, who was appointed private secretary to Queen Juliana in 1950. The van Heecherens were members of one of the Netherlands oldest noble families, serving the queens of the Netherlands from 1840 to 1956. The close personal relationship that existed between the queen and the baroness is evident in the gift of this fine chest. In whos reign this piece came into possession of the royal family has not been discovered, but the remarkable fine condition is evidence that it enjoyed a quiet, protected life, as would be expected among the treasures of a royal palace. AN ALMOST IDENTICAL 15TH CENTURY CHEST CAN BE SEEN IN DAS MOBELWERK, BY HERMANN SCHMITZ, PG 43. 57.5" WIDE X 31.5" HIGH X 22.5" DEEP. STOCK NO 1551.